Herald and News: Klamath Falls, Oregon
http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2003/10/08/news/agriculture/ag2.txt

Water quality hearings planned

Published October 8, 2003

By BRIAN COLE, H&N

Proposed new rules to reduce pollution from agricultural runoff in Upper Klamath Lake will be the topic of public hearings to be held later this month.

The proposed new rules outline requirements of landowners intended the prevention and control of water pollution from agricultural activities and soil erosion in the "Klamath Headwaters Agricultural Water Quality Management Area."

The first hearing will be held in Klamath Falls 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the OSU Klamath County Extension Office, 3328 Vandenberg Road.

The second hearing will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Sprague River Community Center.

State laws are in effect intended to ensure the quality of water that drains into a main body of water, such as the Sprague and Williamson rivers, which in turn, flow into Upper Klamath Lake.

The laws directly affect irrigators in the Wood River Valley, Sprague River Valley and the Williamson River.

"For these regulations to come to pass in different parts of the state, advisory committees were set up," said advisory committee member Chris Sokol, of U.S. Timberlands. "Each advisory committee is set up to see if this is adequate or if more is needed (for its area).

"The plan is designed to implement best management practices for sedimentation, water temperature and other water-quality limiting factors."

The proposed new rules were developed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, with the assistance of the Klamath Headwaters Local Advisory Committee and the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District.

Committee members represent affected landowners and interest groups involved in water quality issues in the Klamath Headwaters Agricultural Water Quality Management Area.

Conditions relate to waste discharges, erosion and sediment control and riparian area management. The proposed new rules outline procedures to be followed by the department in determining whether unacceptable conditions exist, and describe actions to be taken by the department based on such determinations.

Unacceptable conditions include excessive erosion, or nonfunctional or downward-trending riparian areas.

"We honestly feel that we are the true environmentalists and have a deep connection with the resources we use and land that we love," the local advisory committee wrote in the agriculture department's water quality plan draft.

Anyone may present oral and written comments at the hearings. Written comments received by the department by 5 p.m. Nov. 17, 2003, will also be considered.

Comments should be sent to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Attn: Klamath Headwaters Public Comment, Natural Resources Division, 635 Capitol Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-2532.

For copies of the proposed rules, the proposed plan, the enabling legislation, related documents, or further information on the public hearings, contact Celina Long at (503) 986-4779.

Documents are also available on the Department of Agriculture Web site: http://oda.state.or.us/nrd/water_quality/areapr.html. Click "Proposed Plans and Rules."

Hearing dates


Oct. 22,

6 p.m., OSU

Klamath

County

Extension Office, 3328 Vandenberg Road.


Oct. 23,

6:30 p.m., Sprague River Community Center.



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